Sunday, December 04, 2011

Samal Island Experience

For our 2nd and 3rd day, we had Samal Island in our itinerary. Samal Island or Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) is just across Davao City.

We took a bus from Davao City which brought us to Samal. Also had a 15 to 20 minutes ride on a barge to make it across the Davao Gulf.  As you can see in the map, super lapit lang naman! A relative picked us up at the public market of Samal. It was a kinda long travel on a rough road to the resort. They said it was about 9km.

VILLA AMPARO GARDEN BEACH RESORT
Sitio Dasag, Barangay Camudmud

Very tahimik yung place noong nagpunta kami. You would see the real beauty of the place since wala masyadong tao that time!
I like this swing thingy here. Mababaw lang naman yung tubig, here is only waist level.

They only have few activities to choose from. The place is good for relaxation. Nice view + fresh air, perfect!!
Chillin' out before swimming
 One activity is kayaking. 
They provide life vests but since yung ibang lifevest ay andun sa mga bata na huling nag-kayak, minsan may life vest, minsan wala. Hihi. Kamusta din naman at apat kami sa kayak? Anyway, we enjoyed it that way! 
Another.. Ang pang-sagwan ay para sa mga bangkero??
Macho ko dito! Haha. I have no choice but to use this as my, pang-swimming. Wala na akong damit dahil naiwan ko sa bahay! Fail!

We had an overnight stay at Villa Amparo. The next day, mom's siblings and my cousins picked us up at Villa Amparo for a continuation of our Samal Island trip. 

MONFORT BAT CAVE
Tambo, Brgy. Babak

Found also in IGaCos is the largest bat colony of fruit bats in the world! In 2008, Guinness World Records representatives estimated that the bats inside were about 1.8 million! Because of this number, they were recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest colony of Geoffroy's Rousette Fruit Bats! The time we visited it, the number of bats inside is 2.5million! 

At 6pm, everyday, the bats go out of the cave to look for food. Usually they go to Davao and Bukidnon for fruits. They fly about 45km/hr and they return to the cave at dawn.

 Certificate from Guinness World Records
 Near the cave is this exhibit on different bats.
As expected, medyo iba yung amoy. In short, mabaho sila! Hihi.
This little kid is our tour guide. :)

HAGIMIT FALLS
Brgy. Cawag, Peñaplata

A long trek on the concrete stairway down to the falls welcomed us! While we're on our way down, I'm already thinking about how am I going to trek up. Haha!

We didn't dip into the falls immediately. My aunt suggested for us to go to another part of the falls where the water on the above picture is coming from. Again, trekking up is required! A minimal entrance fee is ask if you will go there. The water is cold! Really! And the current is stronger compare to the other part of the falls.


Based on what we've observed, the wall behind us is where the water is really coming from. There is a hole beneath the wall!
:)

MAXIMA AQUA FUN AND EAGLE VIEW CANOPY WALK
Brgy. Cawag, Peñaplata

Another long walk down the staircase welcomed us! Hihi. But because I'm very excited to see the famous slide, deadma na sa walang katapusang hagdanan.

Maxima is famous for their giant water slide which is made up of tarpaulin material about 40 meters long and it will only take you 6 seconds to splash right into the sea.


 There are actually 2 giant slides. This one.
 And this one.

Maxima also offer other activities such as canopy walk, kayaking, snorkeling, banana boat, scuba diving, jet ski and parasailing.

We purchased the package with canopy walk and unlimited use of slide. Free when you purchased canopy walk is 30 minutes kayaking.
Yeah, we did kayaking again. :)

 Canopy walk.
Always had a feeling that my slippers will fall! haha!

Our Samal Island experience ended here. :)

I'll be back soon, Davao! :)

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Chinx♥

3 comments:

  1. We visited the place just last week and indeed the place nice. What I like about it is that it is very secluded, perfect if you want to have a total privacy. Though the beach is not that nice but they made up for it through their very nice facilities!

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    Replies
    1. You're right! The place is really nice and very quiet. The bridge and cottages in the middle really made a big difference in the place.

      Thanks for dropping by, anyway!

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  2. samal island here we come!!!

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